East Grampians Health Service is now providing free public hospital access to egg collection for women undertaking IVF.
Currently 20 per cent of Victorians live in regional areas, but only five per cent of IVF services are provided regionally.
EGHS has a long-standing relationship with Obstetrics and Gynaecology Ballarat and Ballarat IVF, providing high quality women’s health services to local women.
In a step to enhance the quality and range of fertility treatments available, EGHS now provides public hospital access to egg collections for women undertaking IVF.
There is zero cost to patients for this part of their IVF treatment.
This new service represents a major saving of the costs for IVF patients in this area.
“We are very excited to be working with EGHS to provide this new cost saving fertility service,” Dr Michael Bardsley, Clinical Director of Ballarat IVF, and Director of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at EGHS, said.
“Having zero cost egg collections as part of IVF treatment makes it more affordable and accessible for regional women and families.”
All other components of IVF, including consultations in Ballarat, implantation, and follow up treatment and appointments occurs in Ballarat and will be a private service with associated costs.
EGHS Director of Medical Services Dr Kaushik Banerjea, said the equipment for this service is now available at EGHS and EGHS staff have been trained in this procedure.
“We are pleased to be able to offer this component of IVF in Ararat at East Grampians Health Service and free of charge to women from the region,” Dr Kaushik said.